Press Release on Where to Bury our Presidents

Fellow Ghanaians,

According to media reports, the President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills Funeral Committee appointed by President John D. Mahama has made the decision to bury our late President at the Flagstaff House. They have also decided to prepare a portion of the Flagstaff House as National Burial Grounds for Presidents of the Republic of Ghana.

I wish to state, respectfully, that I disagree with this decision.

First, I have stated in front of our late President's family members and elders of EkumfiOtuam my personal suggestion to bury President Mills in the Central Region. In addition, I have suggested that a Presidential Library and Museum should be built for him by the State there, in the region, to serve as a source of inspiration and development. Further, I have suggested that the burial service and other activities be held in Accra for local and international mourners.

Second, and for the avoidance of doubt, if the Mahama Administration and the family of our late President Mills all agree to bury him in Accra, I cannot disagree or quarrel with them.

However, the President Mills Funeral Committee cannot decide for us where all Presidents will be buried. I wish to ask. Did the Committee hold discussions with former Presidents J. J. Rawlings and J. A. Kufuorbefore making the decision to develop a presidential burial ground? Did they seek the opinion of the current Presidential Candidates? If I had been consulted, I would have told them clearly and directly, that I prefer to be buried at Elmina, my hometown when the Good Lord calls me Home whether I become President of the Republic of Ghana or not. My soul will not rest if I am put anywhere else in the world other than Elmina.

As we say in the Central Region, “woboasafo a, woko fie”

Also, I ask, “Adze wo fie a, onnye a?”

God Bless Our Homeland Ghana.

I wish our late President, Perfect Peace.

Papa Kwesi Nduom
1 August 2012